programsallow

programsallow is a term used in information security to describe the practice of configuring a computing environment to permit execution only of a predefined set of programs and components. As a governance approach, it implements an allowlist policy for executables, libraries, scripts, and related resources, aiming to minimize the attack surface by blocking untrusted software by default.

Implementation and scope include enforcing the policy at multiple levels, such as operating system controls, endpoint protection, or application sandboxes. Common techniques are cryptographic hash verification, digital signatures, path-based or publisher-based whitelisting, and integrity measurement. Policies may be static, tied to a baseline of approved software, or dynamic, allowing trusted changes through a formal change-management process.

Applications and examples: in enterprise environments, programsallow resembles traditional application whitelisting. Tools and features that support this approach include operating-system level controls and security suites designed to permit only approved software to run. The goal is to prevent execution of unknown or unsigned software and to enforce a known-good software baseline.

Benefits and limitations: the primary benefit is a reduced risk of malware and unintended code execution, with improved control over software supply chains. Limitations include maintenance overhead, potential compatibility issues, and the need for timely updates to the allowlist as legitimate software changes. False positives can disrupt legitimate operations if the allowlist is not kept current.

See also: allowlisting, application whitelisting, software restriction policies, secure-by-default, sandboxing.